As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Artificial Intelligence Researcher II in the United States is $107,500 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.
However, an Artificial Intelligence Researcher II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Artificial Intelligence Researcher II Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $109,600 | $9,133 | $2,108 | $53 |
| Average | $107,500 | $8,958 | $2,067 | $52 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,800 | $8,567 | $1,977 | $49 |
An Artificial Intelligence Researcher II's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Artificial Intelligence Researcher II's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence Researcher II | 2-4 years | $107,467 |
| Artificial Intelligence Researcher III | 4-7 years | $128,842 |
| Artificial Intelligence Researcher IV | 7+ years | $156,230 |
| Artificial Intelligence Researcher V | 7-10 years | $199,052 |
| Artificial Intelligence Researcher VI | 10-12 years | $220,112 |
Artificial Intelligence Researcher II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $120,136. While startup companies pay approximate $101,623.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $101,623 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $107,476 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $116,006 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $120,136 |
Understanding how an Artificial Intelligence Researcher II's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $109,600 | $9,133 | $2,108 | $53 |
| Average | $107,500 | $8,958 | $2,067 | $52 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,800 | $8,567 | $1,977 | $49 |
Next Role
Advancement
For an Artificial Intelligence Researcher II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Artificial Intelligence Researcher III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $128,900 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.
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The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Artificial Intelligence Researcher II roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.
In 2023, the salaries of AI researchers vary significantly, with a minimum salary of $106,300, a mid-range salary of $121,800, and a maximum salary of $132,900. While some top researchers may earn substantially more through bonuses and equity, these figures represent the base salary range for AI researchers in the industry.
The highest paying AI job is the Machine Learning Engineer, boasting an average annual salary of $161,800. However, an Artificial Intelligence Researcher has a salary range with a minimum of $106,300, a mid-level salary of $121,800, and a maximum of $132,900, making it a lucrative option in the AI field as well.
A PhD in Artificial Intelligence typically earns between $106,300 and $132,900 annually, with a median salary of around $121,800. This reflects the growing demand for AI expertise, significantly higher than the average salaries for PhD students in the field, which are generally lower.
As of January 24, 2025, the salary for an AI Researcher in the United States ranges from $106,300 to $132,900 annually, with a median salary of $121,800. This translates to approximately $51.05 to $63.84 per hour, or $2,050 to $2,740 per week, and $8,917 to $11,883 per month, depending on experience and expertise.
A PhD at Tesla can expect a salary range based on the data for an Artificial Intelligence Researcher, which is approximately $106,300 to $132,900. This range reflects the minimum and maximum salaries for similar roles, indicating that compensation may vary based on experience and specific job responsibilities.
As of January 28, 2025, the salary for an Artificial Intelligence Researcher in the United States ranges from $106,300 to $132,900 annually, with a median salary of $121,800. This translates to approximately $51.05 to $63.86 per hour, or $2,020 to $2,740 per week, and $8,800 to $11,500 per month.
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